The New York Times Current History of the European War, Vol. 1, January 9, 1915 eBook

But the one point that should appeal most strongly
to the patriotism as well as the idealism of America
is the fact that the instructions of 1863 for armies
in campaign, drawn up by the United States Government
in the height of the civil war, first codified the
laws for the conduct of war, and have been the source
and starting point of all these later international
agreements.

And it should be remembered that both Germany and
America signed the Fourth Convention of The Hague
with its annexed regulations as to sieges and bombardments
(Articles 22 to 28) and the further provision which
may even yet be applied punitively to the proceedings
of the present war. “The belligerent who
shall have violated the provisions of the said regulation
shall be held liable for an indemnity.”

And if it be thought that America can render no help
in such a position as the present without violating
her neutrality, the answer is that by Article 3 of
Convention 1 of The Hague, 1907, neutral powers have
the right to offer their suggestions (bons offices)
or their mediation, even during the course of hostilities.
And further: “The exercise of this right
must never be considered by one or the other of the
parties to the conflict as an unfriendly act.”

With all submission, I earnestly urge on the leaders
of American thought to support this attempted interpretation
of the supreme duty and the noble opportunity the
present position places before their country.

One more word. I referred to the possible benefit
of neutrality being maintained while this protest
against wrong and appeal for right is at the same
time advanced.

Is it not more than probable that there is an immense
section of moderate though patriotic opinion in the
great German people which at heart deprecates the
extreme doctrines of conquest and world supremacy
in pursuit of which the great, the wonderful achievements
of the German race in science, in industry, in the
extension of commerce, are being rashly risked?

CHANNING OF WELLINGBOROUGH.

40 Eaton Place, London S.W., Oct. 29, 1914.

TO A COUSIN GERMAN.

By Adeline Adams.

My Hans, you say, with self-applausive
jest,
“When Albert
gave his Belgians Caesar’s name—­
’Bravest
of all the Gauls’—­surely ’twere
shame
The King, unthorough man,
forgot the rest:

“’Bravest because
most far from all the best
Provincial culture.’"[2]
Friend, if now your aim
Be that fine thoroughness
your people claim,
Read on: “Such
culture’s wares, it stands confest,

“Oft weaken minds.”
And Caesar’s word was just.
If men, bedeviled
under culture’s star,
Have left Louvain
a void where flames still hiss,
Speared babes, and stamped
the world’s own Rose to dust,
God grant that
Belgium’s soul may dwell afar
Forever, from a culture such
as this!